Hockey Stick Flex Guide – How to Choose Flex

When it comes to purchasing a hockey stick there are four three factors that you should consider, the flex, the curve of the blade, and the price. Also make sure the length of the stick is appropriate for you, you can cut it after purchasing but this does effect the flex. If you are shopping for a stick I recommend the clearance section at Hockey Monkey, you can usually find some good deals, but make sure you know what you are looking for first!

Choosing the right Flex for your Hockey Stick

The flex of a hockey stick is very important. The right amount of flex can help improve the power and accuracy of every shot in hockey. Alternatively, too much or too little flex can negatively impact power and accuracy. This guide will help you find the right flex for your hockey stick.

Hockey Stick Flex Chart

Younger players do not have to worry as much about flex because they are still learning the fundamentals of shooting. If you are still learning how to shoot properly, as a young player, you will not be ready to utilize the flex. Here is a chart that shows the usual flex values in hockey sticks:

Youth = 40 flex

Junior = 50 flex

Mid or Intermediate flex = 60-75 flex

Regular flex = 85 flex

Stiff flex = 100 flex

Extra stiff = 110 flex

What is flex in hockey sticks?

Flex is a measure used in the making of hockey sticks to test how much a shaft will bend. The number used is the amount of weight needed to bend the shaft one inch. This is important to know, because in order to flex a 100 flex shaft by one inch, you will need to be able to apply 100 pounds of force.

How To Choose the Right Shaft

When it comes to selecting a hockey stick, there are three options for shafts: junior, intermediate, and senior. The difference between the shaft selection is the diameter, length and flex. Junior shafts have the smallest diameter and are also the shortest, while the senior sticks have the thickest shaft (bigger diameter) and are the longest. Junior shafts are generally for young players, while intermediate shafts are made for youth and adults, and senior stick are typically used by players 14 years of age and up. The flex also varies depending on the shaft type. See our hockey stick flex chart above for more information.

Do not let your age be the only factor in determining your shaft type. Some younger players may be strong enough, and have the proper technique to use a senior shaft, while some older players who are small in stature may benefit more from an intermediate shaft. It is not as simple as some may think. To help you choose the right shaft and flex we have developed a flex guide. Read our section below for more information.

How to choose the right flex

A general rule, as a starting point, is to pick a flex that is half your body weight. If you weigh 180 pounds then start at 90 flex. From that point if you think an adjustment in flex is needed, you can use the following guidelines to calculate a better flex for you:

+5 flex if you are strong and know how to shoot well.

+5 flex if you take a lot of slapshots.

- 5 flex if you are not that strong or if your form is not strong.

- 5 flex if you like to take a lot of snap-shots and wrist-shots

Lets say you weigh 180 pounds, you are strong, and take a lot of slapshots. Your starting flex is 90, plus an adjustment of adding 10 gets you to a 100 flex stick. Remember that flex is also personal preference, but we find this formula to be quite accurate among most hockey players.

Does Cutting A Hockey Stick Affect Flex?

Yes it does, most sticks available today have a guide printed on them that will indicate how much flex your stick will have depending on how much you cut it. As a general rule every 2 inches you cut off will increase the flex by 10. An 85 flex stick cut down 2 inches will now be a 95 flex hockey stick.

If you need to cut down a senior stick quite a bit then consider using an intermediate hockey stick. This will give you the appropriate flex and stick height that you need.

I am pretty sure we covered that under the header “Does cutting a hockey stick affect flex?” Maybe we should use bigger letters next time?
Also I’m not to sure what hockey stick nibbles are, care to inform?

Cutting senior sticks may very well go by your 2″=10 flex rule, however, with a intermediate it has been my experience that 1″=2 flex. Its probably a smaller differential yet for the Jr sticks. Clearly written on the TotalOne GripTac stick is a scale that agrees with my estimate of the intermediate shaft flex adjustments for cutting.

Is there a correlation between higher flex, intermediate sticks and their durability?

Reason I ask is because I recently bought a AK27 (Intermediate, 55 flex) shaft.
I cut about 3 inches so the flex is probably around 70?
I loved the stick and flex. It improved accuracy and speed of my wrist/snap shots.

3 months later, the stick broke in a game. I don’t know how it broke. Maybe from faceoff or a whack. I don’t recall a high impact event breaking it.
In the 3 months, I have played a few games and pickup/open ice sessions.
I am not hard/rough on sticks and rarely take slappers.
I play center so do take faceoffs and stick checks.

So I don’t know if this is the nature of Int. high flex sticks.

I would like to get the same stick but am not weary of the durability.
I wonder if I get the 70 flex (still Int.) version it would last longer?

For some reason the flex on my easton ST stick has seemed to increase. I haven’t cut it or anything, and i havn’t lost any weight. I flex my easton EQ30 that has 75 flex with no problem. Any help Would be amazing.

Once again, another great article from you Jeremy. Thanks! I really like the weight/2 as a starting point, and the modifiers. I recently went to a lower flex stick and am having a hard time getting used to the extra flex. I thought “if Ovi does it…”, but I think I will move back into that weight/2 range.